By
Graham Davis
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As
a mark of respect, the remembrance service concluded with
a low fly-over by a Royal Australian Air Force Caribou aircraft
above HMAS Geraldton in the Solomons.
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Photo:
CAPT Anthony Kirk
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Four
occupants of a New Zealand Air Force Lockheed Hudson who were
attacked by the Japanese as they struggled away from their downed
aircraft in the Solomons in 1943, were remembered during a solemn
ceremony at the crash site on board HMAS Geraldton (LCDR Terry
Morrison) earlier this month.
On July 24, 1943 Hudson NZ 2021 was on routine patrol when it
encountered eight Japanese Zeros.
Fiercely outnumbered, the No. 3 Squadron twin-engine aircraft
defended itself admirably over a distance of 40 miles.
There were four crew and a passenger on board at the time. Three
of the four crew were wounded.
The aircraft ditched near Mbava Island.
Despite their injuries all five survived and desperately began
to swim clear of the downed aircraft.
The Zeros made several attacking runs and four of the five died.
Sgt Trevor Ganley survived.
On July 24, 2003, 60 years to the day, No. 3 Squadron returned
to the Solomons as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to
the Solomons (RAMSI) where the squadron is providing aviation
support.
On February 2 this year, RAAF Chaplain Wayne Melrose, a nephew
of one of those to die in the attack, conducted a memorial service
to the four lost souls on the deck of HMAS Geraldton.
The 250-tonne patrol boat under the command of LCDR Morrison,
stood over the crash site.
CHAP Melrose has dedicated years to develop an accurate account
of the Hudson’s crash.
